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AURA Award Management

Preparing Your Proposal

Prior to submission, all proposals require the Supervisor, the Head of Science, and or approval of the Center Director, and AURA President (except pre-proposals) depending on the terms and conditions of the Center's Cooperative Agreement, the amount of the proposal budget, and the specific Center's policy. Awards and contracts are legal commitments with AURA not the specific center or PI.

Only the authorized organizational representatives, ie. the Grants and Contract Officers can commit the organization by signing a contract. Center Directors have signature authority for approvals for procurements which is different that signature authority.

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Authorizing Organizational Represtative and Institution Point of Contact is the Grants Officer: Catalina Diaz-Silva

Award Management

On May 1st, 2014, AURA adopted the Award Management Policies Manual. The AMPM explains how AURA will monitor and delegate the responsibility and oversite of the proposal submission process (pre award) and the management of the award (Post award) during it's lifecycle. The AMPM applies to all proposals that may result in any contract, agreement and or MOU where AURA is the legal organization receiving the funds.

Center staff members may seek funding from outside organizations, including other federal agencies for projects that contribute to the overall advancement of astronomy.

Carina is the official AURA site for tracking and monitoring all proposal and award activity. After log in, the screen will open to the "Dashboard" where you will be able to view:

· Unpaid invoices for your agreements

· Your schedule entries that are due in the next 30 days or are past due

· Your agreements that are ending in the next 30 days

· Your incoming funding agreements that have less than $1,000 remaining in Casnet

· Your pending grants and contracts

When you begin the proposal process, enter the information in each field and then continue to update your progress in the notes field. In the event you are hit by a bus someone will be able to pick up where you left off.

Remember...Grant funds can only be used to carry out activities in accordance with their funding agreements. AURA Centers either currently have or are in the process of developing written policies and procedures on their proposal process. This includes approvals, budgeting (allowable costs), reporting and residual funds.